BMW M62B44/M62TUB44 Engine

1. Specifications
2. Overview, problems
3. Performance tuning

M62B44 Specs

BMW M62B44 engine reliability, problems and repair

In 1996 BMW company produced new series of the engine M62, which replaced M60. Producing of the engine M60B40 was stopped, and instead they started launching M62B44. This 4.4-liter engine was made on the basis of its predecessor M60B40. Its engine block changed according to the enlarged diameter of the cylinders. Also sleeves have nikasil coating, and since 1998 nikasil has been changed to alusil. Long stroke crankshaft is new steel, having 6 counterweights. The rods have remained the old from M60, and the pistons are new to diameter 92 mm. BMW M62 bore spacing – 98 mm.

The heads of cylinder block look like the ones used for BMW M60, but the specs of the camshafts M62B44 have changed: duration 236/228 deg, lift 9/9 mm. The valves have remained the same: the diameter of the inlet valves is 35mm, the diameter of the outlet valves is 30.5 mm. The valve-spring retainer and spring are lightened, the valve cover is magnesium. The double row timing chain is replaced with the new single-strand. Its resource is about 90,000 – 120,000 miles (150,000 – 200,000 km) of mileage. The throttle body are new, the intake manifold is changed and the ignition coils are similar to the ones used for BMW M52 engines. Besides, the programmed thermostat is applied. The engine control unit is replaced with Bosch DME M5.2. M62B44 injector size – 192 cc.

Since 1998 the engine has acquired the technical update and got the name M62TUB44. The main differences between the engines M62B44 and M62TUB44 are the following: a system of changing the valve timing on the inlet camshaft VANOS was added, an electronic throttle body appeared, an intake manifold with the ports of smaller diameter was installed, the engine control unit was replaced with Bosch DME M7.2. BMW M62 firing order – 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. This engine was used for the model BMW 40i.

On the basis of M62B44 a junior 3.5-liter variation was produced, named M62B35, and a model with displacement 4.6 L M62B46 and M-version – S62B50.
The next version of BMW engine V8 appeared in 2001. The new models were named N62, and N62B44 became a successor of M62B44.

BMW M62B44 engine problems and drawbacks

1. Rattling of the engine M62. Such unpleasant sounds may be caused by the stretched cam chain. Its durability is about 90,000 – 120,000 miles (150,000 – 200,000 km) of mileage. Besides, there may be such reasons as timing chain guide rail, timing chain tensioner rail, timing chain tensioner. VANOS system may also cause it, its in-service life is about 90,000 – 120,000 miles (150,000 – 200,000 km) of mileage. You should check everything and fix right away.

2. Leaking. On BMW engine M62 a valve cover gasket may start leaking. Replace it and everything will be all right. Or the valley pan may also leak. Purchase the new valley pan with the gasket and also change the gasket of the intake manifold and the water pump gasket.

3. Rough idling. Irregular work of the engine M62 is mainly connected with air inflow in the intake manifold. There may be some other reasons also, such as out of order positive crankcase ventilation valve, air flow sensor, throttle body position sensor or dirty throttle body.

Besides, in ~150,000 miles (250,000 km) the oil consumption increases for the engine BMW M62. It is necessary to replace the valve stem seals upon it. Every 120,000 miles (200,000 km) of mileage the engine mountings get out of order, and the alternator is also not very reliable.
The engine M62 likes only the high quality oil. Best of all is using the one, recommended by BMW. Saving on working fluids for M62 is not worth at all. Under the regular service and care, the engine will be durable and will work practically with no problems. It is a good choice when buying a BMW car.

BMW M62B44 engine number location

Finding the number of the engine M62 is not hard, just look between the cylinder heads, under the throttle body.

BMW M62 B44 engine tuning

The M62B44 Chip. Cams

The easiest way to increase the power of M62TU is purchasing an intake manifold from M62.
It has the wider ports, and it will give some increase HP. For still greater power it is necessary to buy performance cams (258/258 deg, for example), cat-back exhaust system and to tune ECU. As a result, about 330-340 HP is gained, and it is not bad at all.
The common chip-tuning stock M62 will give practically no result and you will spend your money vainly.

The M62 Supercharger

In case if the power of more than 400 HP is needed, the best choice is the supercharger. You just need to buy a supercharge kit for BMW M62. All these kits are quickly installed on the stock pistons BMW M62 and provide the boost pressure of 6-7 psi (0.4-0.5 bar). It is enough to gain 400+ HP. Stock internals M62 are able to withstand the boost up to 13-14 psi (0.9-1 bar). However, upon the boost of 14 psi (1 bar) it is more reliable to purchase the forged pistons.
It is possible to increase the power still more and to construct the engine M62 twin turbo, but it would be very expensive and complicated. It is much better to purchase BMW M5.

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